it's all about the story, possums…

Both politics and entertainment are, in different ways, acts of storytelling. Too often, today’s sequels and spinoffs come across like feature-length teasers. They’re all middle. They exist to hype what’s next rather than dwell in the cinematic moment and provide narrative closure. We need new stories, new policies and new ideas, but right now, neither Hollywood nor Washington appears willing to deliver. – Peter Suderman, NY Times. More:

It’s hard to believe now, but women learning the classics was a genuine threat to male power. Against this long background of misogyny and fear, it is surprising, but not astonishing, that the first English translation of the Odyssey by a woman has only now come out. – Annalisa Quinn, NPR. More:

Ann Hornaday’s voice in film criticism illustrates that the best writing about films and Hollywood takes into account how men and women are treated differently, and shows why film criticism needs a more balanced approach — not only for the sake of women but also for the industry itself. – Sasha Stone, WMC. More:

Girls of today are dynamic and diverse, [but] the entertainment industry continues to tell stories that bear little resemblance to the reality of today’s girls and young women. – Dr. Stacy L. Smith, The future is female? More:

Producers fall into two categories. The great ones make suggestions to help you realise your work more fully. The annoying ones tell you at length how they themselves might have written the story, if only they could write. – David Hare, The Guardian. More:

Waititi says about filming in Australia, “it was really all about just doing things right.” So on the first day of production, the traditional owners of the land performed a Welcome to Country ceremony. “You wouldn’t really start a movie in New Zealand without asking the local tribe to come in and bless you and send you to work with some good mojo.” – Caris Bizzaca, Screen Australia. More: